Multi-width card reader with cancellation feature

Abstract

A hand-fed data-card reader compatible with cards of different widths and having a selectively actuable perforator for conveying cards past a reader head and for selectively cancelling desired cards via the perforation thereof. Cards are conveyed via a belt/pulley drive train that is operably coupled to a spiked perforator that engages each card at a preset one of two pressures so as to selectively convey the card with or without embossing the surface in a chadless fashion and whereby cancellation is achieved. Data media of differing widths are accommodated via an adjustable, lower, spring loaded guide assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Improved apparatus for reading data containing media including driven means for frictionally grasping and conveying the medium past a reading station whereat the data contained thereon are detected, the improvement comprising: (a) means including a perforator wheel operatively coupled to said driven means for embossing said data containing medium during the reading thereof and whereby the medium is visually and tactilely cancelled, said perforator wheel having a plurality of raised projections extending outwardly from the circumferential surface thereof and mounted adjacent to a relatively hard surface such that as the medium passes between said projections and said hard surface, at least one surface of the data containing medium is embossed.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means coupled to said perforator wheel for selectively varying the pressure exerted thereby against the data containing medium so as to selectively pass the data containing medium with or without embossing said medium. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including guide means for receiving data containing media of differing widths and adjustably aligning the data containing media relative to the reading station, said guide means including a floating assembly having at least one pair of laterally displaced projections mounted so as not to obstruct the passage of a data containing medium of a first width, while channelling a data containing medium of a second width between said projections and correcting for minor misalignment of said data containing medium. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said guide means comprises: (a) a depressably mounted guide member having a pair of leading and trailing projections extending from each one of a pair of laterally displaced rails, the lateral displacement between said rails defining said second media width;   (b) a stationary guide member; and   (c) spring means mounted to said stationary and floating guide members for supporting said pairs of rails and projections in a floating suspension such that corrective pressure is applied via the projections to the data containing medium in contact therewith.   
     
     
       5. Apparatus for conveying a data containing medium comprising: (a) first and second side members spaced from one another and between which data containing medium is passed;   (b) means for reading data contained on said medium;   (c) means for conveying for said medium past said reading means; and   (d) means for selectively embossing said medium as it is read by said reading means, thereby cancelling said medium and preventing against inadvertent re-reading, said embossing means including (i) a solenoid;   (ii) an amplifier arm coupled to said solenoid;   (iii) a force arm coupled to said amplifier arm;   (iv) a perforating drive wheel; and   (v) yoke means coupled to said force arm and to said perforating drive wheel and pivotally mounted to said first and second side members for rotatively varying the pressure exerted by said perforating drive wheel against said media, said pressure exerted by said perforating or drive wheel being dependent upon the angular displacement induced by said solenoid, amplifier arm and force arm.